At the derby

 There are times in life when you must accept the unavoidable. In my case, I'm required to spend inordinate amounts of time yelling at a television in a small room on Shabolovka during the Gagarin Cup. But thanks to the VTB United League's generous media policy, I get a lot more opportunities to announce games on-site. The difference between the two experiences is colossal. It's like comparing a juicy steak to a beautiful picture of a steak. When you watch a game on TV, even in HD, you can't get a sense for the rhythm of a game, see the players up close or feel the energy pulsing from the guys on the court.

I don't know if the game between VEF and Kalev attracted a lot of interest in Russia, but I was there and I had a great time...

Not allowing Riga to envelop us in the narrow streets of the old city, league deputy general director Alexander Fedotov and I headed straight to the game from the airport. Fedotov was on hand to present Scott Machado and Janis Timma with March honors. Unlike our game, the golden sprats, amber Valmiera beer (praised by Sport-Express's Vladimir Mozhaitsev back in 2009) and blond beauties could wait.

The final playoff berth was at stake in the Baltic derby. The team that won had a 90% chance of making the postseason. Despite Kalev's perfect 4-0 record in March, VEF was such a heavy favorite that even Riga's gambling-prone fans were hesitant to place a bet, while visiting Kalev supporters had to shake off their depression with beer and drumming. Despite a crowd of only about 1,000, they ensured a very festive atmosphere.

The game got off to a quick start. March MVP Scott Machado and Young Player of the Month Janis Timma both scored on the first possession, setting the tone for a wild, up-and-down game. The tempo was frenetic and at times the two teams squeezed six possessions into a single minute. The teams made up for deficiencies (this wasn't CSKA and Khimki) with surging energy and bottomless enthusiasm from each player on the court (if CSKA and Khimki played with that type of passion every game, no one would even care about the NBA). Thanks to a run at the end of the period, VEF led by eight points, 30-22.

Riga continued to control the tempo in the 2nd quarter. Young players Mareks Mejeris and Janis Berzins looked very solid. If the tattooed and charismatic Janis Timma goes to the NBA, which VEF fans think is certain to happen, these two players will have to step up to fill the leadership void. Kalev was kept in the game by Machado and its boisterous fans, though VEF did lead by as much as 13 points late in the 2nd quarter, 53-40. 

During halftime, we chatted with Kalev president Ivar Valdmaa, who nonchalantly sipped a bottle of water and had no plans to write to the officiating committee regarding the referees' 16 decisions in the first half.

- They're playing too fast. My head is spinning, - Valdmaa said about the first half. - They're fighting hard, but the playoffs would be a huge challenge. How would we beat CSKA?

- Where's Martin (Muursepp, Kalev assistant coach)?

- He went to Las Vegas.

- Is he there to gamble for next year's budget?

- That's a good idea. We should send him to do that next year. No, he's got a poker tournament and we let him go every year.

... Halftime flew by thanks to the conversation.

- Basically, we'll win by three points, - Valdmaa said unexpectedly. - Timma has three fouls. Mejeris has four. We'll wear them down.

To be honest, it was hard to believe in the Estonian fairy tale, but Alar Varrak's men worked methodically to make it a reality. Machado was rested and very helpful and effective. Like any self-respecting superhero, he also had a trusty sidekick. Rain Veideman went into God Mode in the second half, scoring on drives to the baskets, grabbing offensive rebounds and knocking down contested 3's, while also playing great defense. Late in the 3rd quarter, the game was knotted at 71-71.

The final quarter was just as exciting as the first three. After losing its lead, Riga struggled to maintain its composure and began to play out of control. Kalev kept feeding the ball to Veideman who didn't let them down. He scored 10 points in the 4th quarter, setting a personal high in the VTB United League for points and helped his team avoid a tight finish. The Kalev president's prediction nearly came true with frightening accuracy, if not for VEF's 3-point miss at the buzzer. 

The same team that only won two games last season and lost two of its leaders during the course of this season is another step closer to its playoff dream.

- We'll be coming to Tallinn for your playoff games against CSKA! - we met up with Valdmaa after the end of the game, referring to the most likely playoff scenario.

The clairvoyant and always optimistic Kalev president was true to form:

- It'll be a little more difficult against CSKA. They've got a longer bench... But I think we'll put up a fight.